Storm-damaged span reopens

Rotterdam businesses to benefit now that Route 103 bridge in service

Updated 9:04 pm, Thursday, December 22, 2011

ROTTERDAM — A bridge over the Mohawk River that saw a gaping hole appear during the flooding from this summer's tropical storms is now open.

The bridge on Route 103 reopened Thursday afternoon, two weeks ahead of schedule.

The approach to the bridge crossing the Mohawk River was completely destroyed by flooding from tropical storms Irene and Lee.

"Rotterdam Junction, like so many communities across the state, was hit hard by the floods of August and September, which is why we mobilized all available resources to help communities get back on their feet again as quickly as possible," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "The now reopened Route 103 will restore access to local businesses and shorten people's daily commutes. I'd like to thank those who worked around the clock to fix this highway for their hard work to get this project done."

Route 103 is a half-mile-long road that connects state routes 5 and 5S. It was closed during Tropical Storm Irene when floodwaters and debris threatened the bridge's integrity. Tropical Storm Lee brought more flooding 10 days later and completely washed away a 300-foot-long, 40-foot-high approach at the northern end of the bridge.

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The eastbound lanes of Route 5 also were temporarily closed for repairs. The embankment was stabilized with 115,000 cubic yards of soil and 5,500 cubic yards of heavy stone. The department also reconstructed the road and installed a new guiderail, signs and a sidewalk along the west side of Route 103.

The roadwork, completed in three months, will cost about $3 million, said state DOT spokeswoman Carol Breen.

"We're very excited that we could get it open before Christmas," she said. "It makes things a lot easier. There are small businesses in Rotterdam Junction that will be a lot easier to get to. It's one step in the right direction for a community that suffered a lot of damage from the storms."

In the spring, the state will do one more paving of the road to complete the project, she said.

Now only one state road still remains closed as a result of storm damage.

A section of State Route 42 in Lexington, Greene County – which includes six miles of road and two bridges – is expected to reopen early next year.